--- title: "Roasting pan: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "A roasting pan is a large, heavy pan with low sides and often a rack, for roasting meat and vegetables. Here is how to use it and make gravy in it." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/roasting-pan" --- # Roasting pan A roasting pan is a large, heavy pan with low sides and often a rack, for roasting meat and vegetables. Here is how to use it and make gravy in it. Also called Roasting tin, Roaster, Roasting tray. A roasting pan is a large, sturdy pan with sides about 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) high. It is made to [roast](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/roast) big things such as a whole turkey, a leg of lamb or a rib roast, along with vegetables. Many come with a rack that lifts the meat off the base, so hot air reaches the underside and the meat does not sit in its own fat. In the UK it is called a roasting tin. ## How to use it 1. Pick a pan that fits the meat with a few centimeters (about an inch) of space on each side. Too large and the juices burn, too small and the meat steams. 2. Put the meat on the rack, or on a bed of thick-cut onions, carrots and celery that work as a rack and flavor the drippings. 3. Roast in the lower third of the oven so the top does not brown too fast. 4. If the drippings start to burn, add a splash of water or stock to the pan. 5. Rest the meat on a board while you make the [gravy](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gravy). To make gravy in the pan, pour off most of the fat. Set the pan over one or two burners, add wine or stock, and [deglaze](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/deglaze) by scraping up the browned [fond](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fond) with a wooden spoon. Thicken and season. ## Substitutes A rimmed [sheet pan](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sheet-pan) with a [wire rack](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/wire-rack) works for smaller roasts and chicken pieces. A large cast iron skillet suits a chicken. A disposable foil pan works for a turkey, but set it on a sheet pan because it bends when you lift it. ## Common mistakes * Using a thin pan. It warps in a hot oven and burns the drippings. * Using a deep pan for small cuts. High sides trap steam and the meat does not brown. * Using a glass dish on the stove to make gravy. Only metal pans go on a burner. * Letting the pan dry out. Drippings burn and turn bitter. * Lifting a heavy pan full of hot fat without a plan. Clear a space first and use dry oven mitts. ## In recipes "Roasting pan with a rack" means the meat is lifted off the base. "Roasting tin" in UK recipes means the same pan, often without a rack. ## Recipes made with it 34 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/roast-beef.jpg)Roast Beef and Gravywww.skinnytaste.com · 70 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/roast-beef-4-ww-pts/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/rib-eye-roast.jpg)Herb Crusted Rib Eye Roastwww.skinnytaste.com · 70 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/herb-crusted-rib-eye-roast/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2018/03/Moroccan-Style-Brisket.jpg)Moroccan-Style Brisket with Dried Fruit & Caperswww.onceuponachef.com · 240 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/moroccan-style-brisket-with-dried-fruit-capers.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2018/11/Easy-Roast-Turkey-with-Gravy-101.jpg)Easy High-Heat Roast Turkey With Gravywww.onceuponachef.com · 120 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/easy-roast-turkey-with-gravy.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2025/11/yule-log.jpg)Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)www.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/yule-log-buche-de-noel.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2012/11/Pumpkin-Cheesecake_Gingernsap_Crust_Caramel_Sauce-2.jpg)Pumpkin Cheesecakewww.onceuponachef.com · 120 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/pumpkin-cheesecake.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2023/11/How-to-Carve-the-Turkey-10-1200x800.jpg)Dry Brine Turkeywww.onceuponachef.com · 180 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/thanksgiving-turkey.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2012/01/chex-mix.jpg)Homemade Chex Mixwww.onceuponachef.com · 105 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/chex-mix.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2012/12/Brisket-12-scaled.jpg)Classic Braised Brisket with Onionswww.onceuponachef.com · 240 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/onion-braised-beef-brisket.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2019/04/flan.jpg)Flanwww.onceuponachef.com · 110 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/latin-flan.html) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Garlic-Lover%E2%80%99s-Roast-Beef-7.jpg)Garlic Lovers Roast Beefwww.skinnytaste.com · 140 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/garlic-lovers-roast-beef/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2023/02/Creme-brulee-1.jpg)Crème Brûléewww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/creme-brulee.html) ## Related terms * [RoastRoasting cooks meat or vegetables uncovered in a hot oven, so dry heat browns the outside and concentrates flavor while the inside cooks through.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/roast) * [GravyGravy is a sauce made from the juices and browned drippings of roasted meat, thickened with flour or starch. Here is how to make it smooth every time.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gravy) * [DeglazeTo deglaze is to pour liquid into a hot pan and scrape up the browned bits stuck to the bottom. Those bits become the flavor base of a quick pan sauce.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/deglaze) * [FondFond is the layer of browned, stuck-on bits left in a pan after searing or roasting. Dissolved with liquid, it gives pan sauces and gravy their flavor.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fond) * [Wire rackA wire rack lets air reach every side of food, so cakes and bread cool without going soggy and roasted food stays crisp. Here is how to use one.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/wire-rack) * [Sheet panA sheet pan is a flat, rimmed metal baking tray for cookies, roasted vegetables and one-pan dinners. Here are the common sizes and how to use one well.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sheet-pan) [More in equipment](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/equipment)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)